Postal or Proxy Votes

Are you unable to vote in person at a polling station? Would you find it easier to vote by post (a postal vote) or to have another person vote for you (a proxy vote)?

Postal Vote

You do not need a reason for applying to vote by post. You can choose to vote by post either at all elections in future or at a particular election.You should print and complete the Postal Vote Application form [17kb] and return it to the Electoral Registration Officer at the address printed on the form. You must sign the form yourself, no-one else may sign it for you. We cannot accept e-mailed forms or forms with an electronic signature. If you find it difficult to sign your name in a consistent way, for example if you are blind, partially sighted or find it difficult to write you should print and complete the Waiver Application Form [22kb] as well as the postal vote application form and return both forms to the Electoral Registration Officer.

Proxy Vote

If a Postal Vote is unsuitable you may instead appoint someone (a Proxy) to vote on your behalf. The person nominated by you as your proxy has to be formally appointed by the Electoral Registration Officer to vote on your behalf. Your proxy must be at least 18 years old, must not be disqualified from voting and must be eligible to vote, that is:

(a) For a Parliamentary election be a Commonwealth citizen or citizen of the Republic of Ireland;

(b) For a local government election be a Commonwealth citizen, citizen of the Republic of Ireland or a citizen of a member country of the European Union.

You can choose to vote by proxy either at all elections in future or at a particular election. You should print and complete the Proxy Vote Application form [51kb] and return it to the Electoral Registration Officer at the address printed on the form. You must sign the form yourself, no-one else may sign it for you. We cannot accept e-mailed forms or forms with an electronic signature..

If you wish to appoint a proxy only for one election you should give a reason for your application (Proxy Vote Application form (for one off election) [17kb]). If you wish to appoint a proxy for a longer period of time then you should ensure that an appropriate person also signs to support your application.

Your application will be acknowledged and confirmation sent that your request to vote by post or by proxy has been registered.